Autumn Craft Tutorial: Bonfire Night Photo Magnet
Autumn is the perfect time to get cozy and creative, with chilly evenings and seasonal events like Bonfire Night providing all the inspiration you need for some festive DIY fun. This project is one of my favorite autumnal crafts—an adorable Bonfire Night Photo Magnet that you can customize to your style! Using epoxy resin, a few pigments, and embellishments, we'll create a charming magnet featuring a glowing bonfire scene framed in a resin “photo.”
If you’re looking to expand your autumn crafting, I’ve shared a YouTube video that features four autumnal craft projects, including this one. Check it out to see the Bonfire Night Photo Magnet in action, along with other cozy and seasonal DIYs!
Now, let’s dive into the tutorial for this fun and festive craft!
Overview
This Bonfire Night Photo Magnet is the perfect autumn craft to celebrate the cozy vibes of the season. Combining resin art with fun embellishments, this project creates a charming keepsake featuring a glowing bonfire scene against a starry night sky, all encased in a resin "instant photo." It's an easy and rewarding DIY for both beginners and experienced crafters who want to explore the magic of resin crafting.
In this project, we'll start by creating the two main components: the instant film base and the bonfire embellishment. Once those pieces have cured, we'll move on to the final stage, where we’ll bring everything together by embedding the bonfire into the photo frame, adding a night sky, gold stars, moons, and finishing with a clear, glossy layer of resin. The result is a beautiful, functional photo magnet that captures the essence of Bonfire Night or makes a thoughtful autumnal gift!
Whether you’re crafting alone or with loved ones, this project is the perfect way to celebrate the season and create something unique and memorable.
Craft Supplies Needed
- 1" bonfire silicone mold
- instant film shaker silicone mold (large option size)
- epoxy resin
- mixing cups
- mixing sticks
- gold stars and moons embellishments
- white acrylic paint
- black acrylic paint
- cream resin pigment
- orange pearl resin pigment
- bronze pearl resin pigment
- blue resin pigment
- sticker magnet
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preparing the Bonfire Embellishment and Instant Photo Base
Start by preparing your resin. You’ll need to divide the mixed resin into three cups. Two of these will be used to make the bonfire embellishment, so only a small amount is needed for each.
For the instant film base, you’ll want to use the largest portion of the resin. Add cream resin pigment to this cup, and mix it thoroughly. Pour the cream-colored resin mixture into the instant film shaker mold until it’s full.
Now, for the bonfire, add orange pearl resin pigment to one of the remaining cups and bronze pearl resin pigment to the other. Mix both well. Pour the bronze resin mixture at the bottom section of the bonfire mold for the logs, and the orange resin at the top for the flames. Let both the bonfire and the instant film base cure completely.
Step 2: Adding the Night Sky and Painting Details
Once the resin has cured, remove both the bonfire and instant film from their molds.
Prepare a small batch of clear resin and mix in a little blue pigment. Pour a thin layer of this blue resin into the middle section of the instant film mold to represent the night sky.
While the resin is still uncured, embed gold stars and moons embellishments into it. Allow this layer to cure.
Next, use black acrylic paint to add detail to the bonfire embellishment. Let the paint dry fully before moving on.
Step 3: Painting and Detailing the Instant Film
Clean off any excess paint from the bonfire using rubbing alcohol and a non abrasive wipe.
It’s time to add a personal touch to the instant film piece. Use white acrylic paint to paint a small moon at the top section of the instant film. Allow the paint to dry completely.
Step 4: Embedding the Bonfire and Adding Final Layers
Mix another batch of clear resin and pour a small amount into the middle section of the instant film. Carefully embed the painted bonfire into the resin, and add more gold stars and moons for extra sparkle. Once the bonfire is placed, pour more resin to dome the piece, creating a smooth final layer. Let the resin cure completely before moving on.
Step 5: Adding the Magnet
Once the resin is fully cured, flip the piece over and adhere a sticker magnet to the back of the instant film. And with that, your Bonfire Night Photo Magnet is complete!
Follow Along with Me for Added Guidance
If you're a visual learner or just prefer to follow along with step-by-step video guidance, I've got you covered! I created a YouTube video that features this Bonfire Night Photo Magnet as part of a series of four autumnal craft projects. In the video, you’ll be able to see each step, from preparing the resin to embedding the bonfire and stars. This is a great way to get an up-close look at the techniques, especially if you’re new to working with resin.
Feel free to watch the video and craft along with me. You’ll not only master this Bonfire Night Photo Magnet but also discover three other cozy autumn crafts to try this season. Whether you’re following this blog tutorial or the video, the project is simple, fun, and perfect for embracing the autumn spirit!
This project is not only a fun way to celebrate Bonfire Night, but it also makes for a unique autumnal keepsake or a lovely handmade gift. If you’re inspired to try more seasonal crafts, don’t forget to check out my YouTube video where I share even more creative ideas for autumn!
Happy crafting!